Great Lakes Business Alliance, Inc.

Are You Leaving Money on the Table? Most business owners unknowingly sacrifice tens—if not hundreds—of thousands of dollars in profit each year. The gap between what your business could be making and what it is making is called the Profit Gap—and it’s costing you. Do you know your Profit Gap? ✅ Are you maximizing your business’s profitability? ✅ Have you accounted for one-time and discretionary expenses? ✅ Are you undercharging yourself on rent or other key costs? In our latest video, Brad Ruth of GLBA Business Advisors breaks down how to identify and close your Profit Gap to unlock hidden value in your business. Watch Now: https://lnkd.in/e52wwErh 🔗 Learn how to recast your EBITDA, make proper financial adjustments, and position your business for maximum profitability and value Don't leave money on the table—start closing your Profit Gap today! #ProfitGap #BusinessGrowth #MaximizeProfits #BusinessValuation #GLBABusinessAdvisors

In 2025, business valuation is evolving with key trends such as the dominance of EBITDA multiples and a heightened demand for recurring revenue models. glbainc.com Leveraging these trends can significantly enhance your company's market value. Stay ahead of the curve by understanding these developments. Discover how to maximize your business's worth in this dynamic landscape. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e_uKDASk #BusinessValuation #EBITDA #RecurringRevenue #2025Trends #BusinessGrowth

Unlock Your Business’s Full Potential with Value Acceleration! Are you setting your business up for long-term success or just hoping for the best? The Value Acceleration Methodology is the game-changer every business owner needs to know! ✅ Annual Business Evaluations – Stay ahead of the curve. ✅ Financial & Personal Readiness – Align your business & personal wealth goals. ✅ Action Plan for Growth – Strategies to boost value and reduce risks before it’s time to sell. This is just a snippet of the full strategy! 🎯 Watch the full seminar with M&A expert Brad Ruth and learn how to maximize your business’s worth before you exit. 📺 Watch now: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/emY9QfMH 💬 What’s your exit plan? Let’s discuss in the comments! 👇 #BusinessValuation #ExitPlanning #entrepreneurship

3x Your Business Value Before Selling! 🚀 Too many business owners undervalue their companies when it’s time to sell, leaving potential profits behind. The key? Strategic improvements in three critical areas: 💰 Financial Performance – Optimize profit margins, improve cash flow, and reduce owner dependency to make your business more attractive to buyers. 👥 Strong Management Team – Develop key leaders, document processes, and step back from daily operations to ensure a smooth transition post-sale. 📈 Predictable Revenue – Implement recurring revenue models, diversify income sources, and increase customer retention to drive long-term business value. By focusing on these areas, you can significantly increase your valuation and position your business for a highly profitable exit. 📩 Ready to maximize your business’s worth? https://lnkd.in/ePmPJ6E7 #BusinessValuation #ExitStrategy #SellYourBusiness #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth

The 2025 Reality Check: Why Business Owners Need a CEPA Now The reality of business exits in 2025 is shifting. Market conditions, buyer expectations, and valuation trends are evolving—and business owners who wait too long to plan their exit may leave money on the table. If you’re considering selling in the next 3-5 years, here’s something most owners overlook: Exit planning isn’t a last-minute task—it’s a long-term strategy. Too many business owners assume they can list their company for sale and expect buyers to line up. But in reality, 80% of businesses never sell because they aren’t properly prepared. A successful exit requires a well-thought-out strategy—and that’s where a CEPA comes in. A CEPA-certified advisor does more than list businesses for sale. Our job is to increase your company’s value well before it hits the market, ensuring you exit on your terms. ✅ How a CEPA Maximizes Your Business Value: 🔹 Identifying Hidden Risks – Many businesses have operational inefficiencies, legal exposures, or financial weaknesses that could lower their valuation or scare off buyers. We help uncover and mitigate these risks before they become deal breakers. 🔹 Strengthening Financials & Operations – Buyers want businesses that are profitable, scalable, and not overly dependent on the owner. We work to optimize cash flow, improve margins, and reduce owner reliance to make your business more attractive. 🔹 Aligning with Buyer Expectations – Not all businesses are "sellable" in their current state. What do buyers look for in 2025? Recurring revenue, streamlined operations, and strong key personnel retention. We position your business to meet market demands. 🔹 Creating a Roadmap for a Smooth Exit – The earlier you start, the more control you have. A CEPA advisor helps you determine the best exit strategy—whether it’s a third-party sale, private equity, or internal succession—so you maximize both price and deal terms. 🚨 Why Now? The Window of Opportunity Is Closing The M&A landscape is competitive, and buyers are becoming more selective. Valuations are tightening, and only well-prepared businesses will command top dollar. If you wait until you’re ready to sell, you’ll already be behind. The earlier you start exit planning, the more control you have over: ✔️ Your valuation – Position your business for maximum worth ✔️ Your deal terms – Negotiate from a place of strength ✔️ Your timeline – Exit on your own terms, not the market’s A CEPA doesn’t just sell businesses—we build their value. Whether you're looking to exit in the next 1, 3, or 5 years, now is the time to start the process. 📩 Thinking about your future exit? Let’s discuss how to position your business for maximum value. The best deals go to those who plan ahead. #CEPA #ExitPlanning #MergersAndAcquisitions #BusinessValuation #GrowthStrategy #FinancialPlanning #BusinessOwners #Entrepreneurship #SuccessionPlanning #MABusiness #WealthCreation #BusinessAdvisory

Thinking about selling your business? Don’t wait until it’s too late to maximize your value. These three steps can make a huge difference: 📌 Fix Your Financials – Reduce unnecessary expenses, increase profitability, and get your books in order. Buyers pay more for businesses with clean, transparent financials. 📌 Secure Recurring Revenue – Subscription models, service contracts, and retainer clients boost business stability, making your company more attractive to buyers. 📌 Make Your Business Less Dependent on You – A business that can operate smoothly without the owner is more valuable. Build strong processes, delegate tasks, and develop a solid leadership team. Want a step-by-step plan to increase your business value? DM us "EXIT" for a free exit planning guide! 🔗 www.glbainc.com #BusinessValuation #ExitPlanning #SellSmart #BusinessGrowth #MergersAndAcquisitions #Entrepreneurship

How Mike’s HVAC Services Increased Its Business Value by 3X The Challenge Mike spent 15 years building his HVAC business, but when he started exploring an exit strategy, he realized his company wasn’t worth what he expected. Like many HVAC owners, he faced: ✔️ Inconsistent recurring revenue – Most income came from one-time service calls, not long-term contracts. ✔️ Low valuation multiples – Buyers weren’t offering competitive prices due to operational inefficiencies. ✔️ Limited brand positioning – His business lacked a strong differentiator in a crowded market. The Strategy: How Mike 3X'd His Business Value With guidance from a CEPA-certified advisor, Mike made strategic changes that transformed his business: 🔹 Shifted to a Service Contract Model – Annual maintenance contracts replaced one-time repairs, creating predictable, recurring revenue. 🔹 Optimized Operations – Investing in field service software improved scheduling and boosted technician productivity by 20%. 🔹 Strengthened Financial Documentation – Clear, transparent books made his business more attractive to buyers. 🔹 Expanded Digital Presence – A revamped website + Google Ads increased leads by 35% in six months. 🔹 Negotiated a Higher Multiple (5X EBITDA) – Mike’s business valuation jumped from 2.5X to 5X EBITDA, doubling his expected sale price. The Outcome After implementing these strategies, Mike sold his HVAC business for 3X its original valuation, securing a comfortable retirement while ensuring a smooth transition for employees and customers. 🔑 Key Takeaways for HVAC Business Owners ✅ Start preparing early – Business valuation is about more than revenue; it’s about scalability and structure. ✅ Recurring revenue is king – Buyers pay more for businesses with long-term contracts. ✅ Work with an exit planning advisor – A CEPA-certified expert can help maximize your business value before you sell. 🚀 Thinking about selling your HVAC or plumbing business? Let’s talk strategy and ensure you get top dollar for your hard work! 📩 DM me to start the conversation. #HVACBusiness #PlumbingBusiness #ExitStrategy #BusinessValuation #HVACSuccess #CEPAAdvisors #EBITDA #ServiceBusiness #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneur #SmallBusinessOwners #FieldService #MergersAndAcquisitions

🛑 3 Business Exit Mistakes That Can Cost You BIG 🛑 Many business owners leave money on the table when selling their company. The reason? They overlook these key value-killing mistakes: 🚨 #1 Not Cutting Unnecessary Expenses – Buyers want financially efficient businesses. If your expenses are too high, your valuation drops. Start optimizing now! 💡 #2 No Recurring Revenue = Lower Offers – Businesses with predictable income streams (like service contracts & memberships) are far more attractive to buyers. ⚠️ #3 Your Business Can’t Operate Without You – Buyers want a scalable business that doesn’t rely 100% on the owner. Build a strong leadership team before selling! 📊 If you want top dollar for your business, you need to fix these mistakes now. 📖 Read the full blog for actionable strategies 👉 https://lnkd.in/eu6r_Qkk 💬 Let’s discuss your exit plan! DM me or schedule a consultation to start preparing today. #ExitStrategy #BusinessValuation #MergersAndAcquisitions #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth

Thinking of selling your business? 💰 Don’t leave money on the table! A Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) helps you increase valuation, attract serious buyers, and secure the best deal. 🚀 DM me today! #CEPA #ExitPlanning #BusinessValuation #MergersAndAcquisitions #HVAC #Plumbing #SellYourBusiness #StrategicExit